Sixteen fans have been selected to represent their country/territory in the MLB Fan Cave during the 2013 World Baseball Classic.

The 16 “Cave Dwellers” were announced at a ceremony at the MLB Fan Cave in New York City. The Cave Dwellers were welcomed by MLB Network analysts Bill Ripken and Dan Plesac, ESPN Deportes analyst Candy Maldonado (a favorite for Team Canada and Toronto Blue Jays fan Daryl Andrews), EVP of Business for Major League Baseball Tim Brosnan, and Miss America 2013 and Brooklyn resident Mallory Hytes Hagan.

As part of the 18-day MLB Fan Cave: World Baseball Classic Edition, the winners will cheer on their nation while watching every game of the WBC live at all hours of the day and night. They will also share their national pride, meet baseball personalities, and chronicle their experiences online through videos, blogs and social media. Australia’s Nic Connell said he has a few chants and props he’s ready to break out when Australia is playing. Nic came out banging thundersticks when he was introduced as Team Australia’s Cave Dweller.

Once a team is eliminated, the Cave Dweller will return to his/her home country within 48 hours.

Ketchum Sports & Entertainment was retained last year by Major League Baseball to help with World Baseball Classic Edition of the MLB Fan Cave. According to Shawn McBride, SVP of Client Service for Ketchum Sports & Entertainment, driving excitement around the WBC and engaging with developing MLB markets are the major goals behind the WBC Edition of the MLB Fan Cave. The 16 Cave Dwellers will be seen as ambassadors in their home markets and will help push the Fan Cave as a social media content engine. It was important to MLB and the WBC that the 16 ambassadors encompass not only established baseball markets but emerging and developing markets as well.

Click the image below to view more pictures from the press conference including a look at the remodeled MLB Fan Cave.